SJU Selected to Host 2015 & 2016 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championships

Release: 12/11/2013

Saint Joseph's University will serve as the host institution for the 2015 and 2016 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championships at PPL Park, as the NCAA today announced a total of five championships that will take place in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia will also host the 2015 and 2016 Men’s Lacrosse Championships at Lincoln Financial Field with partner Drexel University. In addition, the Men’s College Cup for soccer will return in 2017 to PPL Park with Global Spectrum and Villanova University as hosts, after taking place in Philadelphia in 2013 (December 13 & 15).

Philadelphia and the NCAA have a storied history, including 14 NCAA championships in the City of Brotherly Love since 2000, and the tradition continues with five NCAA Championships over the next three years, bringing thousands of lacrosse and soccer fans to the region.

“Philadelphia is known for many things, arts & culture, higher education, medicine & research, and tourism, but we are also recognized as a passionate, energetic sports town,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “We are consistently a top choice for premier sporting events like the Army-Navy Game, and we frequently host our own nationally recognized events like the Philadelphia Marathon, the Dad Vail Regatta and the Penn Relays. Welcoming NCAA Championships back to Philadelphia for the next several years will only enhance our reputation as a world-class sports city.”

“We are thrilled to continue this partnership with the NCAA, which is a testament to all of our local partners, including Drexel, Villanova, St. Joe’s, the Eagles and the Union,” said Larry Needle, executive director of the Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We are thrilled that the NCAA has again acknowledged Philadelphia as a championship city, recognizing the birthplace of America as an exciting destination with diverse institutions,” said Saint Joseph's athletic director Don DiJulia. “This region is one of the fastest growing nationally for the sport of lacrosse so we are honored to be a part of bringing this great championship here.”

“PPL Park is thrilled to continue the tradition that is being built of hosting the best in collegiate sports by welcoming back the NCAA Men’s College Cup and hosting the Women’s Lacrosse DI & DIII National Championships”, said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “We’re honored that what is known as one of the best atmospheres in Major League Soccer is also recognized as one of the best locations for collegiate championships.”

This will be the first NCAA Championship hosted by Saint Joseph's since the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds was held at the Wells Fargo Center